The Sri Lankan board complained to the International Cricket Council that Hair had breached cricket's code of conduct by saying in his recent book that Muttiah Muralitharan's action was ``diabolical''. Hair called the Sri Lankan spinner for throwing in a Test match three years ago.

Hair has now written to David Richards, the chief executive of the ICC, saying he is considering suing Thilange Sumathipala, the Sri Lankan board president.

``I am most concerned some people at the highest level of cricket administration can be allowed to conduct a smear campaign and adopt intimidatory tactics of this nature without following the correct procedures,'' Hair said in his letter to Richards.

Last week Hair stood down from officiating in any of Sri Lanka's matches in the forthcoming one-day tournament with Australia and England.

Hair was unavailable for comment yesterday as he was on his way to Pakistan to officiate in the second Test against Zimbabwe. But the Australian Cricket Board said the umpire was within his rights to take any action he saw fit.

Hair will learn later this week if the ICC will penalise him for breaching the code of conduct.

Glamorgan, the 1997 county champions, have reinforced their middle order by signing Sussex batsman Keith Newell on a two-year contract.

Newell, 26, will fill the void left by Tony Cottey, who joined Sussex last month.